prevaricate

[ pri-var-i-keyt ]

verb (used without object)

, pre·var·i·cat·ed, pre·var·i·cat·ing.

1. to speak falsely or misleadingly; deliberately misstate or create an incorrect impression; lie.

   Synonyms: shift, evade

prevaricate

/ prɪˈværɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. intr to speak or act falsely or evasively with intent to deceive

Derived Forms

• preˈvariˌcator, noun
• preˌvariˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• pre·vari·cation noun
• pre·vari·cative pre·var·i·ca·to·ry [pri-, var, -i-k, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• unpre·vari·cating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prevaricate¹

1575–85; < Latin praevāricātus, past participle of praevāricārī to straddle something, (of an advocate) collude with an opponent's advocate, equivalent to prae- pre- + vāricāre to straddle, derivative of vārus bent outwards, bow-legged

Word History and Origins

Origin of prevaricate¹

C16: from Latin praevāricārī to walk crookedly, from prae beyond + vāricare to straddle the legs; compare Latin vārus bent

Example Sentences

So, why did the three college presidents prevaricate when asked how they would respond to such language?

From Seattle Times

But, hey, ratings: Maybe the method by which to save America from a second Trump term is to give him prime-time slots to lie, prevaricate and vent self-pity.

From Salon

British politicians can say all sorts of rubbish to the BBC that wouldn’t count as a crime, but government ministers are not supposed to knowingly mislead — artfully prevaricate? recklessly lie to? — the members of Parliament.

From Washington Post

Then there are the Republicans in the Senate and House who vehemently defend the liars or prevaricate and deflect, unwilling to accuse, let alone punish, the liars in their midst.

From Seattle Times

Since then Ramaphosa has seemed to prevaricate on crucial reforms and is sometimes paralysed by the need to build consensus within the ANC - a far cry from the decisiveness he showed as a union leader in the 1980s.

From Reuters